Slovenia-Lake Bled

Writing you from Camp Bled in the shade of the alpine forest on two surrounding mountains, at the west side of Lake Bled. It's been a cooler day, although the cloud has cleared and the sun is out this afternoon.

We arrived yesterday after a short drive (in distance not time) from Villach in Austria with the rest of the holidaying European population. We had intended to drive straight here from Venice but after finding that the sat nav doesn't do Slovenia and not having a map we decided a detour to a border town would be handy. Honestly we has no previous intention to go to Austria but now glad we did for the scenery and little taste of the relaxed atmosphere. We have tried many a European supermarket at this point but InterSpa-the biggest Spa in the world- was great! The schweiner combination pack went well on the BBQ! Oh and the sculptured pigs head made of pate/sausage meat was genius (mom-maybe Stubbs butchers needs one of these!?).

The drive to Slovenia was beautiful as you approach the border mountains, there is no actual border marking as it occurs somewhere in the middle of the 8.3km tunnel, you go in in Austria, out in Slovenia. Ten minutes later your at lake bled! A tiny town at one end and the campsite at the other.

Yesterday evening there was a storm, rolling thunder and rain so we got cosy in the van and waited for it to pass, which it did quickly, and the aftermath was great. 22 degrees! Such a pleasure after nothing but 30+ ( I'm not complaining I promise!) and I immediately wanted to run. The lake is 7km round so I did about 5 and had a nice cool down stroll too!

Mark cooked chicken curry last night and we sat by the van and ate, wine not as cheap as Italy but still.

Today we hired bikes and rode around the lake a few times stopping for pictures, a picnic and a drink (the first Guinness opportunity for months!). It's Monday so there's less people about than yesterday but still plenty, swimming, sunbathing, walking and rowing boats. There's tons to do here with horse riding, hiking, river water sports, tennis and volleyball- this is a list of things we won't be doing!

Tomorrow is a bus ride to the Vintger gorge and probably the walk up to Bled castle too. I was trying to reserve judgement until we've been here more than 24hours but I don't think I will....everyone should come to Slovenia!

The tourism slogan is 'I feel sLOVEnia'.

So hope all is well in your world x